Binghamton University claimed the first-ever AAU College Hockey National Championship last week in suburban Philadelphia.
The Bearcats of the Upstate New York Collegiate Hockey League (UNYCHL) defeated Fairfield University 6-3 in the finals of the National Division, completing a perfect 6-0 week at Iceline in West Chester, PA.
Thomas McKee led the Binghamton offense in the championship game, scoring twice and adding three assists against the Stags. McKee had 4 goals and 7 assists over the 6 games in the tournament. Christopher Simak scored 5 goals and assisted on 4 others.
However a commitment to team defense and goaltending seemed to be the secret ingredients for the champions. Always known for their ability to score, the Bearcats became a stingy defensive squad at Nationals, only surrendering 10 goals in 6 games.
Goaltender Adam Bloodgood earned the Tournament MVP for Binghamton, winning all six games and pairing that with a 1.63 Goals Against Average and a .943 save percentage.
Binghamton had been the runner-up in the 2022 national tournament, then-known as the CHF Federation Cup. The Bearcats lost to Babson College in last year’s title game, but got revenge this year, knocking out the defending champions during Pool Play. McKee was also the hero in that game, scoring the overtime game-winning goal that eliminated the Beavers.
For the season, Binghamton’s record was 23-3-1.
The national tournament marked the official transition from the CHF (Collegiate Hockey Federation) to the newly-formed AAU College Hockey. Organizers hope the backing of the 140-year old American Athletic Union will help establish a new level of varsity collegiate hockey; one that isn’t the NCAA, but also isn’t club hockey. 40 teams competed in the six-day event with 70 games contested, in total.
Binghamton’s victory came in the AAU National Division, or Division 2. The American Division (Division 3) also went to a UNYCHL school, St. John Fisher University.
The Cardinals defeated Farmingdale State College 8-1 in the American Division Championship Final. 8 different players scored for Fisher; Brandon Makowski tacked 3 assists onto his goal in the title game.
SJFU used a balanced attack throughout the event. Makowski was one of six players to tally more than five points in their five games. The point leaders were Ryan Licursi with 3 goals and 5 assists and Drew Allaire, who totaled 2 goals and 6 helpers.
The MVP award for the American Division Champions, though, was given to Defenseman Collin Mesick, who scored 3 goals in the tournament. Two of Mesick’s goals came in the semifinal round and he was a key part of the Cardinals’ defense, which only allowed 9 goals in 5 games.
The Cardinals were also Champions of the UNYCHL Tier 2 Division and compiled a season-long record of 24-8-1.
Not only did UNYCHL schools take home both titles, but three teams advanced out of pool play in the National Division. The University at Buffalo lost to Binghamton in the Quarterfinals. Meanwhile Niagara University won all three preliminary round games, defeated Alabama in the quarters, but then lost in the semifinals to Fairfield.
Top-ranked St. Bonaventure won their first two games, but did not advance to the round of 8 after falling to Georgia in overtime on day three.
Images Courtesy of Bardown Creative Digital Media
